Category: Cosmetics
People have been using cosmetics since the time period of the ancient civilizations. Women in ancient Egypt have used kohl as eye shadow. Cleopatra allegedly bathed in milk for a whiter and softer skin. Later during the medieval period, Greek women even used toxic lead carbonate to whiten their complexion just to be in the fad. Cosmetics have become an essential part of most people’s lives that manufacturers have made a source of living from it. It may be possible that all people, regardless of age, sex and culture must have used any form of cosmetics.
Cosmetics technically refer to substances or products intended to be applied on the external parts of the body including teeth and mouth. Cosmetics are used either to cleanse, to lace a nice smell, to protect and to alter the appearance. As for the chemistry of cosmetics, usual ingredients or materials used in making cosmetics are water, fragrance, emulsifier, color, preservative, pH stabilizers and thickener.
Emulsion is a concept on which most cosmetics are based. It could either be some oil droplets in water or several water droplets in oil. Water and oil never mix with each other, which is why emulsifiers are used in the process of cosmetics making. The emulsifiers prevent water from separating with oil and vice versa, thus a homogenous and evenly textured product is produced.
Preservatives are added to cosmetics so that microorganisms are prevented to grow. Bacterial or fungal growth may spoil the products and cause harm to the user. Commonly used cosmetics preservatives are tetrasodium EDTA, benzyl alcohol and parabens. Polymers are examples of thickeners added to cosmetics to achieve desired consistency. They are either natural (polysaccharides) or synthetic (polyethylene glycol). Polyssacharides are usually obtained from seaweeds in the form of carrageenans which came from red and brown algae.
The pH stabilizers affect the acidity of the cosmetics, color creates an appealing effect and fragrances make the cosmetics smell good. Moisturizers are cosmetic products used for treating dry and scaly skin. They prevent additional loss of water or moisture from the skin (occlusion) and add substances to the skin which make it able to retain moisture (humectants). Occlusive moisturizers contain alcohol and some mineral oil. Humectant moisturizers have glycerine, and fruit acids.
Surfactants added to soaps and shampoos account for the cleaning ability of the cosmetic products. Usual surfactant molecules used in cosmetics manufacturing are lipophilic (fat soluble) and hydrophilic (water soluble). Lipsticks are made with the concept of water solubility. It is made of water insoluble coloring, wax and non-volatile oil. Fake tans are cosmetic products which alter its color once it contacts the skin. Its active ingredient is a colorless dihydroxyacetone which changes colors as a chemical reaction with the amino acids on the top layer of the skin. The color produced is permanent; however the tan is also shed from the skin along with the constantly shedding skin cells.
The use of cosmetics must be done carefully because it may contain ingredients which may be harmful to the skin. Some people are allergic to makeup and other cosmetic products. The chemicals added to the cosmetics like fragrance and preservatives may cause allergic dermatitis. To determine is the skin is prone to allergies; a patch test should first be performed.
People often want to reinvent themselves and change the way they look and ultimately how others see them. Some will take drastic steps to achieve this but most will change only a few things about themselves and leave it at that. Today, people even have the option of changing the color of their eyes with cosmetic colored contacts. Unlike prescription contact lenses, cosmetic colored contacts can be worn by nearly everybody and are available in a wide variety of colors and styles. So whether you want to create that special look for that special occasion or just feel that you would look better with blue eyes, these contact lenses could be the thing for you.
Cosmetic colored contacts have been around for years but were only available to those in the movie industry or theater. Their primary use was for actors to completely look the part. Today these same contact lenses are available to the general public and can be used everyday or for special occasions like Halloween if you want to stand out from the crowd. They are also often referred to as special effects contact lenses or just colored contact lenses.
Cosmetic Colored Contacts For Every Occasion
Special effects contacts are produced in mass or can even be custom made. The only difference between the two is the price. The idea behind each lens can usually be traced back to popular movies and are often associated to a particular character within that movie. An example of this would be the film The Lost Boys.
There are also the generic types of cosmetic colored contacts that look like cats’ or snakes’ eyes. Wearing these contacts, will completely allow you to look as if you really have eyes like cats or snakes without affecting your normal vision. There are also wolf eye versions available.
If you want to make more of a statement, you could even get special effects contacts that look like zombie or blind eyes. These lenses look like a solid white milky substance that covers your eyes. The only problem with these lenses is that you are not able to see through them hence the reason why you will see people only wearing one lens at a time.
Fire eye contacts give them impression that the eyes are red or engulfed in flames whereas black sclera contacts look like your entire eye has been filled with black oil and are completely motionless. If you want your eyes look like mirrors, then mirrored eye contacts are the way to go and hemorrhaged eye contacts will make your eyes appear like you have just had a very heavy night on the town.
Cosmetic colored contacts can also be used to enlarge your pupils quite considerably or even make your eyes glow in the dark. These are perfect for going clubbing.
Whether to you like your eyes to be blue or brown or really stand out from the crowd at the next Halloween party, you can be certain that there are cosmetic colored lenses that will fit any occasion or purpose. One last to remember before you go rushing to the mall, is that although you may have perfect vision, you will still need a prescription from a qualified eye specialist to be able to purchase cosmetic colored contacts.
For hundreds of years Thai herbs have constituted a great part of Thai traditional medicine a natural means of health and beauty care. This knowledge has been passed on from generation to generation so that now, in our modern times, everyone can benefit from the wisdom of Thai herbs in todays natural cosmetics and beauty care.
In the next few paragraphs, you will discover the benefits of some of the more common Thai herbs currently being used in cosmetics and beauty care products.
Tamarind
Tamarind seed extract contains high levels of AHA which is of great benefit in skin care. Studies have shown that tamarind seed extract significantly improves skin elasticity, hydration and smoothness.
This extract is water soluble and is recommended for facial toners, moisturizers, serums, gels, masks. It is particularly useful in anti-aging formulas.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass has been traditionally used in Thai cooking, but has been more recently discovered that the essential oils found in this fragrant herb can be used in cosmetics and beauty products. Lemongrass essential oil has antibacterial properties and can also be rubbed on the hands to kill everyday bacteria or used under the armpits as a deodorant. In addition, lemongrass oil has great astringent properties, which helps clear up excessive oily skin that can cause acne outbreaks. Furthermore, lemongrass is effective as a skin toner because it naturally dilates the blood vessels, tightening pores and minimizing wrinkles. Lemongrass oils have also been used for many years in Thailand as a natural way to repel insects such as fleas, lice, ticks and mosquitoes and offer an added benefit of relieving muscle pain.
Turmeric
Turmeric has been used for centuries in Thailand as a natural cleanser and is a wonderful body scrub. It leaves your skin soft, smooth and glowing. Turmeric in cosmetics has also been found to help remove blackheads and whiteheads from the skin. This Thai herb is also wonderful in reducing fats, thus purifying the blood and improving blood circulation in the body. One other great property of turmeric is that it can slow down the growth of body hair, essential for that nice, glowing skin women like.
Kaffir Lime
Kaffir Lime is a well known herbal remedy in Thailand used to help with hair and scalp problems. Its mild acidic property reduces oiliness in the hair while moisturizing the scalp. After rinsing with clean water, the hair will be shiny with the great smell of citrus. Kaffir lime is also a popular ingredient used in herbal compresses and is excellent for aromatherapy.
Southern Marine Seaweed
Southern Marine Seaweed has long been used by the Thais for food and healing and becoming increasingly popular in spas and cosmetic use. Southern Marine Seaweed provides numerous vitamins and minerals including, vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, C, niacin, iodine, iron, zinc calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and trace amounts of B12. This seaweed also helps promote healthy skin and hair. Tests have shown Southern Marine Seaweed can control excess sebum and is excellent in delivering essential moisture to areas most needed – balancing the skin. Southern Marine Seaweed can also be found in many forms of Thai acne care creams as it has great detoxifying properties.
So now you can see that Thailand is ready to bring the ancient wisdoms of Thai herbs to the global market so they can share their traditions with you.
Customers all around the world are becoming more conscious and therefore more demanding day by day. Cosmetics and skin care products are the most in-demand products of the time in the UK. People want such products that can make them look stunning without having any harmful effects on skin. Their demands convince manufacturers and wholesalers to pay attention in digging out micro-segments within one specific niche to introduce innovative and novel products. This segmentation plays a major role in UK wholesale Cosmetics industry and provokes manufacturers to create cosmetic items that cater the needs of specific niche and generate more profit from there.
Cosmetics industry has progressed by leaps and bounds over the past few decades. It is a fact that cosmetics industry is now worth of billions of dollars. Companies are using celebrities to endorse their products and brands which influence young generation in the UK to spend more on cosmetics and premium products. Young generation is fond of applying cosmetics frequently in form of sun-blocks, lip glosses, kajals and fragrances. The word frequent can describe the importance and worth of this industry here. Skin care products and cosmetic items are becoming the top desire of the youngsters so manufacturers are inclined to focus more them. Although the usage of beauty products has increased but it is insane to believe that they would compromise on substandard products.
Awareness has made people to prefer herbal and organic cosmetic products over the synthetic ones. These herbal cosmetic items are natural, safe to use and free from any harmful chemicals and hence do not have any side-effects. Many customers now demand organic cosmetics from wholesale suppliers. Major companies are investing heavy amounts on research to find out more specific herbal cosmetic products to satisfy their customers. For example, Neem tree extracts are being scientifically examined to reduce acne problem and are hence commercially produced in soap bars, powered form and also as face washes. Wholesale cosmetics UK companies are using raw form of neem to manufacture variety of high quality products and deliver them all around the world.
This trend of preferring mineral makeup over the traditional one is not just seen in the UK but almost in every country like USA, India and China. Herbal cosmetic sector is growing well at a good profit margin rate and offers wonderful opportunities for manufacturers and suppliers. To make good quality cosmetic products, neem, aloe vera, jojoba oil and certain nano particles are in high demand. Increased awareness, good purchasing power and strong economic performance can ensure a great future for the organic wholesale cosmetics industry in the UK. A cosmetic wholesaler can succeed well in the longer run by developing good pricing strategy and positioning his cosmetic products intelligently.
1. Matrixyl
The most popular signal peptide for cosmetic use is palmitoyl pentapeptide (Matrixyl). Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (Matrixyl) is a skin rejuvenation compound. The palmitoyl pentapeptide consists of five amino acids linked together and attached to a fatty acid to enhance oil solubility for the sake of better skin penetration. It stimulates the synthesis of the key constituents of the skin matrix: collagen, elastin and glucosamnoglycans because it is structurally related to the precursor of collagen type I.
2. Copper peptides: Argireline
Because peptides are small, they can penetrate the skins protective barriers to get to the deeper layers. When copper is attached to a peptide, the peptide can deliver copper to the living layers of the skin. Copper is essential for enzymes including lysyl oxidase (crosslinking of elastin and collagen) and dopamine beta hydroxylase (catecholamine formation). Copper Peptide products show positive effects on collagen deposition, tensile strength, angiogenesis, hair follicle cycle regulation, and SOD activity so that to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Copper peptides can be found in Neova, Osmotics as well as products like Neutrogenas Visibly Firm Night Cream.
Some Neuropeptides might block transmission of signals from nerves to your facial muscles. Argireline is the trade name for Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, a synthetic anti-aging cosmetic ingredient derived from natural proteins. Argirelines purpose is to decrease the visible effects of aging by reducing the deep wrinkles and lines that occur around the forehead and eyes. Cosmetics companies have marketed Argireline as a cheaper alternative treatment to Botulinum Toxin A (Botox), because the principles behind their chemical actions are similar.
3. Other cosmetic peptides: Matrikine
Other peptides like matrikine peptide (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) are small peptide fragments of extracellular matrix proteins that display potent tissue repair activities. It is possible to use matrikine peptide incorporated collagen film as a therapeutic agent in the wound healing process. Some cosmetic preparation contains peptide derivatives from -MSH. These cosmetic products have the property of activating the melanogenesis and being an anti-inflammatory and acting more efficiently.
4. Peptide might not do anything
Unfortunately, the clinical data is still too skimpy to view many peptides such as palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 as a proven anti-wrinkle treatment at this time. Peptides are break-down products of proteins. They might continue to break down further in a topical cream, becoming useless. A difficulty in achieving sustained delivery of bioactive concentration of some cosmetic peptides in the affected area limits their therapeutic use.